225 ci, unknown after market cam, stock compression, Holley 4 bl. 390 cfm., 904, 3.55:1 sure grip.


This is a summery of several threads I posted over the last few weeks regarding distributor springs & valve lash adjustments.

You may recall that I was bemoaning the fact that the Dart would not make any smoke roll out from the rear fenders. This prompted several readers to suggested checking the vital signs of my engine which I did. This examination of engine condition exposed several deficiencies: mal adjusted valves; poor vacuum; and timing issues.

I had adjusted the valves just 1000 miles ago to .010" & .020", and several were found to be off these specks. DD advised 012" & .022" where I had an after market cam which I reset the valve lash to.

I discovered that the rocker shaft was previously installed incorrectly while cleaning the oil ways, causing a lubrication starvation condition which I corrected.

The timing was a bit erratic, jumping around when checked at idle. I found this to be caused by the long spring missing from the mechanical advance in the distributor. Duster Idiot kindly sent me the correct spring, once installed stabilized the timing mark.

A small vacuum leak at one of the closed off nipples on the carb was discovered, and corrected improving the engine vacuum.

The result of these adjustments is a smother idle, what feels like a little less passing power, and throttle response has not improved. I have not driven far enough to check the fuel consumption. . Previous to these adjustments it was 21 mpg highway driving.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC